Man to spend 15-year jail term for murder in FS

Police say the incident happened at an open space between Stryn and Hani Park in Welkom.

A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Welkom Magistrate’s Court for murder, Free State police said on Monday.

According to police, the incident happened at an open space between Stryn and Hani Park in Welkom.

“On February 16, 2016, at about 4:20pm, two African males were walking from the direction of President Steyn mine to Hani Park. Just at the open space, they were approached from the back by another African male,” Free State police spokesperson, Constable Kethabile Mofokeng said.

“He asked one of the two friends if he wanted to know him. Before he could answer, he was shot twice, once in the knee and once in the head. The other friend ran for his life.”

The deceased was later identified as Paul Sithole, 37, from Zimbabwe. Thabo Mohapi, 23, was arrested and appeared in Welkom Magistrate’s Court where he was convicted and sentenced on February 28.